Proprietor makes case for private varsities

The founder and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu, Osun state, Dr Ramon Adedoyin has urged the Federal Government to sponsor students to private universities.

He also urges the government to include private universities among the beneficiaries of Tertiary Education Trust Fund [TETFUND] saying it is unfair on the part of federal government to use TETFUND to enhance physical infrastructural development in federal universities to the exclusion of other stakeholders including privately owned universities when the money is sourced from the public.

Adegoke answering reporters questions at a press conference on the third convocation ceremonies of the university, noted that the practice of sponsoring students to private universities was common in the United States and United Kingdom pointing out that doing so has helped in manpower development and development of education.

He observed that despite the growing number of both private and public tertiary institutions, many youths still find it difficult to gain admission, insisting that sponsorship of students to private universities is a way out to reduce admission crisis in the country

He said government should also emulate the practice in the America where indigent students pay lower school fees during studies to encourage them and are made to pay the balance after graduation.

The Acting Vice chancellor of the university, Professor Chibuso Nnate Nwoke noted misplaced value system was partly responsible for decline in standard of education in the country.

He said the university had made remarkable progress in the area of academic, research and physical infrastructural development within its short existence.